Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical system (100) comprising at least one data processing unit (111, 121, 130), a mechanical ventilator (110), configured to be operated to cause a ventilation status at a to-be-ventilated subject, and a medical imaging device (120), configured as a mobile device. The at least one data processing unit (111, 121, 130) is configured to obtain, from the mechanical ventilator (110), ventilation status information associated with the ventilation status of the to-be-ventilated subject. Further, the at least one data processing unit (111, 121, 130) is further configured to trigger acquisition of a first image if the ventilation status meets a first image acquisition criterion. Furthermore, the at least data processing unit (111, 121, 130) is further configured to trigger acquisition of at least one subsequent, further image if the ventilation status meets a second image acquisition criterion.

Abstract: EMI (electromagnetic interference) and unwanted detector movement may affect digital images causing artifacts to occur in clusters of adjacent lines as stripe noise. There are therefore provided devices and methods for removing stripe noise artifacts from a digital image. The method comprises receiving the digital image as an input image captured by a detector using a non-progressive readout mode in which a readout line order in the time domain differs from a detector line order in the spatial domain; re-sorting lines in the input image to correspond to their detector line order in the spatial domain, wherein the re-sorting causes a cluster of noise-affected lines which are adjacent in the input image to be dispersed in the re-sorted image; and applying a stripe filter to the re-sorted image to remove the stripe noise artifacts. The combination of the non-progressive readout mode and the re-sorting renders the stripe noise more suitable for removal by the stripe filter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage device for cleaning and charging portable X-ray detectors, and an X-ray system comprising such storage device. The storage device comprises a receiving unit for receiving at least one portable X-ray detector, a cleaning unit for cleaning the portable X-ray detector when being received by the receiving unit, and a charging unit for charging the portable X-ray detector, wherein the cleaning unit is configured for mechanically and/or chemically cleaning the portable X-ray detector. Further, the invention concerns a method of cleaning and charging a portable X-ray detector in a storage device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for correction of collimator penumbra in an X-ray image. The apparatus comprises an input unit (20), a processing unit (30), and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with X-ray data. The processing unit is configured to determine at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of an object. The determination comprises application of an intensity modulation mask to the X-ray data. The intensity modulation mask accounts for intensity variation across a detector of an X-ray acquisition system caused by at least one collimator blade of the X-ray acquisition system, and the X-ray acquisition system was used to acquire the X-ray data. The output unit is configured to output the at least one collimator corrected X-ray image of the object.

Abstract: A system (IPS) and related method for image processing, in particular dark-field or phase contrast imaging to reduce motion artifacts. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving a series of projection images (?) acquired by an X-ray imaging apparatus (XI) of an object (OB) for a given projection direction, the imaging apparatus (XI) configured for phase-contrast and/or dark-field imaging A phase-contrast and/or dark-field image generator (IGEN) applies an image generation algorithm to compute a first image based on the series the projection images (?). A motion artifact detector (MD) detects a motion artifact in the first image. A combiner (?) combines, if a motion artifact is so detected, a part of the first image with a part of at least one auxiliary image to obtain a combined image. The auxiliary image was previously computed by a gated application of the image generation algorithm in respect of a subset of the series of the projection images (?).

Abstract: The invention concerns a storage device for cleaning and charging portable X-ray detectors, and an X-ray system comprising such storage device. The storage device comprises a receiving unit for receiving at least one portable X-ray detector, a cleaning unit for cleaning the portable X-ray detector when being received by the receiving unit, and a charging unit for charging the portable X-ray detector, wherein the cleaning unit is configured for mechanically and/or chemically cleaning the portable X-ray detector. Further, the invention concerns a method of cleaning and charging a portable X-ray detector in a storage device.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging detector (102) is proposed, wherein the X-ray imaging detector comprises an X-ray converter (103) for converting X-ray radiation into electrical charges. The X-ray imaging detector further comprises a detector plate (104) for collecting the electrical charges generated by the X-ray converter and for generating an image. In addition, the X-ray imaging detector comprises a structured plate (105) for modulating the intensity of backscattered X-ray radiation, wherein the structured plate is arranged at a side of the detector plate opposite the side of the X-ray converter. Moreover, the X-ray imaging detector comprises a data processing system, which is configured for mitigating image distortions caused by backscattered X-ray radiation. Thereto, the data processing system uses information about the structured plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical image check apparatus (10). The apparatus comprises an input unit (20), a processing unit (30), and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide a radiological image to the processing unit. The radiological image comprises image data associated with an anatomical feature of a patient. A descriptive label is associated with the radiological image. The processing unit is configured to identify the anatomical feature in the radiological image, the identification comprising utilization of an image processing algorithm. The processing unit is configured to determine a consistency between the identified anatomical feature in the radiological image and the descriptive label. The output unit is configured to output information on the basis of the determined consistency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, and a corresponding device, for testing a radius of curvature and/or for detecting inhomogeneities of a curved X-ray grating for a grating-based X-ray imaging device. The method comprises generating a beam of light diverging from a source point, propagating along a main optical axis and having a line-shaped beam profile. The method comprises reflecting the beam off a concave reflective surface of the grating. A principal axis of the concave reflective surface coincides with the main optical axis and the source point is at a predetermined distance from a point where the main optical axis intersects the concave reflective surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for presentation of dark field information. It is described to provide (210) an X-ray attenuation image of a region of interest of an object. A dark field X-ray image of the region of interest of the object is also provided (220). A plurality of sub-regions of the region of interest are defined (230) based on the X-ray attenuation image of the region of interest or based on the dark field X-ray image of the region of interest. At least one quantitative value is derived (240) for each of the plurality of sub-regions, wherein the at least one quantitative value for a sub-region comprises data derived from the X-ray attenuation image of the sub-region and data derived from the dark field X-ray image of the sub-region. A plurality of figures of merit are assigned (250) to the plurality of sub-regions, wherein a figure of merit for a sub-region is based on the at least one quantitative value for the sub-region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control module for controlling an x-ray system (140) during the acquisition of step images for phase imaging. The control module comprises a step image quantity providing unit (111) for providing a step image quantity, a detector dose providing unit (112) for providing a target detector dose, an applied detector dose determination unit (113) for determining an applied detector dose absorbed by a part of the detector (144) during the acquisition of a step image, and a step image acquisition control unit (114) for controlling the x-ray imaging system (140) during the acquisition of each step image based on the applied detector dose, the target detector dose and the step image quantity. The control module allows to control the x-ray imaging system such that the target detector dose is not exceeded while at the same time ensuring a sufficient quality of the step images.

Abstract: Typically, a dual layer multi-spectral X-ray detector is capable of providing two points of spectral data about an imaged sample, because the front X-ray detector also acts to filter part of an incident X-ray spectrum before detection by a rear X-ray detector. A pre-filter can be placed in front of the front X-ray detector to enhance the spectral separation. However, the provision of a pre-filter implies that the intensity of the X-ray radiation must be increased to achieve the same signal to noise ratio. The present application concerns a multi-spectral X-ray detector with a front X-ray detector, a rear X-ray detector, and a structured spectral filter placed in-between them. The structured spectral filter has first and second regions configured to sample superpixels of the front X-ray detector, enabling three separate items of spectral information to be obtained per superpixel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for adjusting, for each of a plurality of subjects under inspection, a relative position and/or a relative orientation between an interior body portion of the respective subject and an X-ray sensitive surface of an X-ray sensitive device. The system comprises a data processing system which is configured to read, for each of the subjects, position data which are indicative of one or more parameters of a position of the respective subject. The data processing system is further configured to determine one or more position parameters of an interior body portion of the respective subject. The data processing system is further configured to determine the position parameters of the interior body portions of the subjects further depending on model data which are indicative of one or more parameters of an interior position of an interior body portion of a model subject within a body of the model subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for alveoli based visualization in dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray imaging. It is described to provide (210) a dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray image of a region of interest of an object, wherein image data are represented in units of a dark-field or a phase-contrast signal. A calibration is provided (220) relating dark-field or phase-contrast signal to an alveoli index in a lung. The calibration is utilized (230) to convert the dark-field or phase-contrast X-ray image of the region of interest of the object into an alveoli based image of the region of interest of the object, wherein the image data are represented in units of the alveoli index. The alveoli based image is outputted (240).

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing X-ray images of an object. In order to improve the accuracy for interactive geometrical measurements, a device (10) for processing of an X-ray image of an object (30) is provided. The device comprises an input unit (12) and a processing unit (14). The input unit is configured to provide a shape related information (16) from an object (30) to be irradiated. The input unit is also configured to provide a generic object model (20), and to provide an actual X-ray image (18) of the object. The processing unit is configured to adapt the generic object model based on the shape related information in order to generate an individual object model (22). The processing unit is also configured to determine, based on the individual object model, an individual image processing modificator (24) for processing at least one part of the X-ray image, and to apply the individual image processing modificator for further processing of the X-ray image.

Abstract: The invention relates to beam hardening correction in X-ray Dark-Field imaging of a subject including a first material and a second material, the first and second material having different beam hardening properties. As the X-ray imaging data includes information on the internal structure of the imaged subject, such information may be used, together with appropriate calibration data to identify the beam hardening contributions occurring in the imaged area of the subject, so to allow for a correction of artifacts due to beam hardening in X-ray Dark-Field imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray radiograph apparatus (10). It is described to placing (110) an X-ray source (20) relative to an X-ray detector (30) to form an examination region for the accommodation of an object, wherein, a reference spatial coordinate system is defined on the basis of geometry parameters of the X-ray radiography apparatus. A camera (40) is located (120) at a position and orientation to view the examination region. A depth image of the object is acquired (130) with the camera within a camera spatial coordinate system, wherein within the depth image pixel values represent distances for corresponding pixels.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and a related method. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving two or more input images that include respectively an attenuation signal of an imaged object and a dark-field signal of the object. A combiner (COM) is configured to combine the two or more input images in a linear combination operation to form a combined image. An output (OUT) port configured to output the combined image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing X-ray images of an object. In order to improve the accuracy for interactive geometrical measurements, a device (10) for processing of an X-ray image of an object (30) is provided. The device comprises an input unit (12) and a processing unit (14). The input unit is configured to provide a shape related information (16) from an object (30) to be irradiated. The input unit is also configured to provide a generic object model (20), and to provide an actual X-ray image (18) of the object. The processing unit is configured to adapt the generic object model based on the shape related information in order to generate an individual object model (22). The processing unit is also configured to determine, based on the individual object model, an individual image processing modificator (24) for processing at least one part of the X-ray image, and to apply the individual image processing modificator for further processing of the X-ray image.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus with an interferometer (IF) and an X-ray detector (D). A footprint of the X-ray detector (D) is larger than a footprint of the interferometer (IF). The interferometer is moved in scan motion across the detector (D) whilst the detector (D) remains stationary. Preferably the detector is a 2D full field detector.